Tourist attractions in Delhi
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Delhi is one of the most historic capitals in the world and two of its monuments, the Qutb Minar and Humayun's Tomb, have been declared World Heritage Sites. It offers a multitude of interesting places and attractions to the visitor, so much so that it becomes difficult to decide where to begin exploring the city.
In Old Delhi, there are attractions like mosques, forts, and other monuments that depict India's Muslim history. The important places in Old Delhi include the majestic Red Fort, the historical Chandni Chowk. In addition, Old Delhi has Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana that are modern structures constructed after India's Independence in 1947.
New Delhi, on the other hand, is a modern city designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. New Delhi houses many government buildings and embassies, apart from places of historical interest. Notable attractions in New Delhi include:
- the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys
- the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during theAfghan war
- the Laxminarayan Temple, built by the Birlas, one of India's leading industrial families
- the Akshardham Temple at New Delhi epitomises 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss, ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages
- the Humayun's Tomb, said to be the forerunner of the Taj Mahal at Agra
- Across the road from Humayun's tomb is the shrine of the Muslim Sufi saint, Nizam-ud-din Chishti, who died in 1325.
- the Old Fort, Delhi, built by Humayun, with later-day modifications by Sher Shah Suri
- Tughlaqabad, Delhi's most colossal and awesome fort
- Qutab Minar, built by Qutb-ud-din Aybak of the Slave Dynasty
- the lotus-shaped Bahá'í House of Worship
- In the northern bit of Delhi is Connaught Place, the business and commercial and tourist centre.
- Aviation Museum near Domestic Airport
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[edit] Rashtrapati Bhawan
Built with a mix of Western and Indian styles, Rashtrapati Bhavan was originally built for the Governor General of India, aka Viceroy of India. Inaugurated in 1931 as the Viceregal Lodge, the name was changed in 1950 after India became a republic.
[edit] India Gate
Situated along the ceremonial Rajpath avenue (meaning King's Way) in New Delhi, India Gate is a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers who died during the Afghan wars and World War I. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. The cenotaph (or shrine) in the middle is constructed with black marble and depicts a rifle placed on its barrel, crested by a soldier's helmet. Each face of the cenotaph has inscribed in gold the words Amar Jawan (in Hindi, meaning Immortal Warrior). The green lawns at India Gate are a popular evening and holiday rendezvous for young and old alike.
[edit] Laxminarayan Temple
Also called the Birla Mandir, the Laxminarayan Temple was built by the Birla family in 1938. It is a temple with a large garden and fountains behind it. The temple attracts thousands of devotees on Janmashtami day, the birthday of Lord Krishna.
[edit] Akshardham Temple
A recent addition to Delhi's gems, this monument, inaugurated in November 2005, is contending to be among the best sights to see in Delhi.
[edit] Appu Ghar
Appu Ghar is a children's amusement park and suitable for anyone of any age. This theme park includes haunted houses and some roller coasters. Appu, was both the cartoon mascot, and a live elephant mascot that became the beloved star of the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, India. This amusement park got the name from that Mascot's name; "Appu" is the name of the elephant and Ghar means "house". Appu ghar is worth a visit.
[edit] Humayun's Tomb
Humayun's Tomb was built by Humayun's widow, Hamida Banu Begum. Designed by a Persian architect named Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, the structure was begun in 1562 and completed in 1565. The tomb established a standard for all later Mughal monuments, which followed its design, most notably the Taj Mahal.
[edit] Qutb Minar
The Qutb Minar is located in a small village called Mehrauli in South Delhi. It was built by Qutb-ud-din Aybak of the Slave Dynasty, who took possession of Delhi in 1206. It is a fluted red sandstone tower, which tapers up to a height of 72.5 metres and is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the Qur'an. Qutb-ud-din Aybak began constructing this victory tower as a sign of Muslim domination of Delhi and as a minaret for the Muslim priest, the muezzin, to call the faithful to prayer. However, only the first story was completed by Qutb-ud-din. The other storys were built by his successor Iltutmish. The two circular storys in white marble were built by Ferozshah Tughlaq in 1368, replacing the original fourth story.
The balconies in the tower are supported by exquisite stalactite designs. The tapering tower has pointed and circular flutings on the first story and star-shaped ones on the second and third stories. The bands of calligraphic inscriptions are amazing in their perfection along the exquisite stalactite designs on the exterior of this tower.
The Qutb Minar, apart from being a marvel in itself, is also significant for what it represents in the history of Indian culture. In many ways, the Qutb Minar, the first monument built by a Muslim ruler in India, heralded the beginning of a new style of art and architecture that came to be known as the Indo-Islamic style.
[edit] Red Fort
The decision for constructing the fort was made in 1639, when Shah Jahan decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. Within eight years, Shahjahanabad was completed with the Red Fort-Qila-i-Mubarak (fortunate citadel) — Delhi's seventh fort — ready in all its magnificence to receive the Emperor. Though much has changed with the large-scale demolitions during the British occupation of the fort, its important structures have survived, the glory faded with age but still impressive.
[edit] Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk, a main marketplace in Delhi, keeps alive the city's living legacy of Shahjahanabad. Created by Shah Jahan the builder of Taj Mahal, the old city, with the Red Fort as its focal point and Jama Masjid as the praying centre, has a fascinating market called Chandni Chowk. Legend has it that Shah Jahan planned Chandni Chowk so that his daughter could shop for all that she wanted. The market was divided by canals. The canals are now closed, but Chandni Chowk remains Asia's largest wholesale market. Crafts once patronized by the Mughals continue to flourish there.
[edit] Jama Masjid
The Masjid-i-Jahan Numa, commonly known as Jama Masjid, is the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and completed in the year 1656 AD, it is one of the largest and best known mosques in India.
[edit] Raj Ghat
On the bank Yamuna River, which flows past Delhi, there is Raj Ghat — the final resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. It has become an essential point of call for all visiting dignitaries. Two museums dedicated to Gandhi are situated nearby.
[edit] Shanti Vana
Lying close to the Raj Ghat, the Shanti Vana (literally, the forest of peace) is the place where India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was cremated. The area is now a beautiful park adorned by trees planted by visiting dignitaries and heads of state.
[edit] Bahá'í House of Worship (Lotus Temple)
The Bahá'í House of Worship, situated in South Delhi, is shaped like a lotus. It is an eye-catching edifice worth exploring. Built by the Bahá'í community, it offers the visitor a serenity that pervades the temple and its artistic design.
[edit] Purana Quila
The Purana Quila (Old Fort) is a good example of medieval military architecture. Built by Humayun, with later-day modifications by Sher Shah Suri, the Purana Quila is a monument of bold design, which is strong, straightforward, and every inch a fortress. It is different from the well-planned, carefully decorated, and palatial forts of the later Mughal rulers. Purana Quila is also different from the later forts of the Mughals, as it does not have a complex of palaces, administrative, and recreational buildings as is generally found in the forts built later on. The main purpose of this now-dilapidated fort was its utility with less emphasis on decoration. The Qal'a-I-Kunha Masjid and the Sher Mandal are two important monuments inside the fort. That was made by Aqeel in 1853.
[edit] Tughlaqabad
When Ghazi Malik founded the Tughlaq Dynasty in 1321, he built the strongest fort in Delhi at Tughlaqabad, completed with great speed within four years of his rule. It is said that Ghazi Malik, when only a slave to Mubarak Khilji, had suggested this rocky prominence as an ideal site for a fort. The Khilji Sultan laughed and suggested that the slave build a fort there when he became a Sultan. Ghazi Malik as Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq did just that—Tughlaqabad is Delhi's most colossal and awesome fort even in its ruined state. Within its sky-touching walls, double-storied bastions, and gigantic towers were housed grand palaces, splendid mosques, and audience halls.
